AKA: Rosyjski Spaniel

Description: The Russian Spaniel is relatively small, but it has a strong and well-built body. This and its muscular legs help the dog with its work as a gun dog. Its coat is skintight, with hair of average length but with wavy fringes on the back of the legs and ears.

Dynamics: The Russian Spaniel is a loyal and devoted dog. It makes a great family as it is eager to please and can also stand in as a guard dog. It is also playful, and can get along well with children. Towards other dogs and pets, it is amiable and friendly. It has to be socialized well, however, to be able to get along really well with other pets and animals. In training the Russian Spaniel, the owner has to be firm, calm, and confident so as not to confuse the dog as it learns the house rules.

As a gun dog, the Russian Spaniel is a natural. It does not need a lot of training and instead instinctively starts on its work early in life. In its training, it should learn how to go about seeking out its game, bringing it out to the open, and retrieving it. The Russian Spaniel is great in hunting marsh, field, woodland, and aridland birds, as well as waterfowls, rabbits, and other small game.

Breed Group: Gun Dog

Weight: 28-35 pounds (13-16 kg)

Height: 15-17 ¾ inches (38-45 cm)

Color: The color of the Russian Spaniel’s coat is usually white with dark spots and speckles. The spots can be either black, brown, or red. The head and the ears are also usually in a dark color. Other colors for the coat is also possible, and can vary from solids to tricolors.

Country of Origin: The Russian Spaniel is descended mostly from English Cocker Spaniels and English Springer Spaniels. It was bred in Russia back in the end of the nineteenth century when a black English Cocker Spaniel was brought to the country for the royal Nikolai Nikolaevich. Soon after that, more spaniels and other breeds were imported and the mixing of the breeds led to the development of many new dog breeds, one of which is the Russian Spaniel.

Activities: The Russian Spaniel possesses great stamina and is an energetic and playful dog. It should be walked everyday and be exercised and have play sessions.

Grooming: The Russian Spaniel does not need a lot of grooming. Its coat is not that long and is also waterproof. An occasional bath and regular brushing will be enough to keep the dog clean and its coat shiny.

Other Info: The Russian Spaniel has a life expectancy of 14 years. It is prone to overeating so it should have a strict diet to avoid bloating and other health problems. This breed will be okay living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Little Lion Dog, Petit Chien Lion

Description: The Löwchen is a bichon type dog, with long silky coat that is most often presented in a lion cut. The coat is not fluffy and thin like that of a Bichon Frise, though. Instead it is long and wavy, not curly, with a mix of thick and fine hairs. Its head is short but broad, and has black nose and round dark eyes. The ears are in pendant shape and feathered. The body is short as well, proportional, and ends in a medium-length tail.

The Löwchen’s body is advised to be clipped in the hindquarters, the part of the tail closest to the body, and part of the front legs in order to make the look of a lion to the Löwchen.

Dynamics: The Löwchen is a lively and cheerful dog. It is playful and affectionate, and are good with children and other dogs and pets. It is a very good toy dog for the family. It is also an intelligent breed and can learn fast. There will be little problems with its training. It is also fearless and can be aggressive for leadership, despite its size. But it can also be sensitive and gentle. Socialization is important, of course. This breed may like to bark or dig a lot.

Breed Group: Gun Dog

Weight: 9-18 pounds (4-8 kg)

Height: 10-13 inches (25-33 cm)

Color: The color of the Löwchen’s coat can be anything, even brown. But the most favored colors would be white, black, and lemon. Speckled Löwchen dogs are also acceptable.

Country of Origin: The Löwchen originated in France, and the breed was popular throughout the countries of southern Europe. The breed decreased in number throughout the 20th century and two World Wars. By 1960, it was declared by the Guinness Book of World records that the Löwchen was the ‘rarest breed.’

Activities: The Löwchen, like all other dogs, needs to have a daily walk and exercise. It also needs play as part of its physical needs. The Löwchen likes to play and run around in an open area, and must be granted this enjoyment to avoid behavior problems.

Grooming: The coat of the Löwchen should be brushed regularly. Bathe only when necessary. The Löwchen sheds little to no hair, which is a good thing for allergy sufferers.

Other Info: The Löwchen has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. It is a generally healthy breed, and will do well living in an apartment. This breed will do okay without a yard and is active even when indoors.

Photo: Ainus

AKA: Grosser Munsterlander Vorstehhund, Large Munsterlander

Description: The Large Munsterlander has a very well-balanced body, making the breed one of the most versatile hunting dogs. It has easy and steady movement and gait, with its body squarely proportional. Its coat is long and thick, feathery on the ears, legs, and tail. There should be no feathering on the backside of the upper feet. The feet are strong and firm with hair between the toes. The tail is carried horizontally.

A male Large Munsterlander has a bigger head than that of a female. The male also has longer hair on the chest and has more feathering. The head is brod and slightly rounded, with long, broad, and round-tipped ears that are hanging. The eyes are dark and heavy-lidded and the mouth forms a scissors bite.

Dynamics: The Large Munsterlander is a cheerful and obedient dog, making it a wonderful house companion. It is also an intelligent breed and is easy to train. It is extremely sociable and people dependent. It does not like to be alone and can get destructive when left in the house or in a car with no one else around. It likes to retrieve and carry things things in its mouth, perfect for being hunting dogs. It also likes to play, and is good with other animals and children.

The Large Munsterlander is also a great working dog. It is happy when it has something to do, and is a very flexible breed. It has the ability to withstand pressures involved in hunting and exercises, adapting to any terrain and resistant to fatigue and bad weather. It is especially good at retrieving the hunt, more so when it is retrieving out of the water. It also likes to hunt down small animals. Training is needed to get it along with your small farm animals and to leave sheep and cattle alone. It likes to chase smaller preys like rodents and birds. This breed is a very valuable dog for hunters as it is good in both land and water. Socialization and patience in training is needed to manage the hunting instinct in the Large Munsterlander.

Breed Group: Gun dog

Weight: 50-70 pounds (23-32 kg)

Height: 23-25.5 inches (58-65 cm)

Color: The Large Munsterlander’s coat ranges from predominantly black to predominantly white. Usually, the head is solid black with white snips and the body is white with black patches and flecks. All black coats is not desirable, and brown coats is not unheard of but are not common either.

Country of Origin: The Large Munsterlander originated in Germany in the late 18th century. With the reputation as an all-purpose hunter, its popularity grew to countries outside of its country of origin.

Activities: With its playfulness, hunter instincts, and boundless energy, the Large Munsterlander needs to be on its feet most of the time. Daily walks and sufficient exercise is necessary for this breed. It loves to run and chase outdoors, so it has to be taken outside everyday to make it happy.

Grooming: Since the male Large Munsterlander has a longer coat then the female, the male’s coat needs to be brushed more often than the female’s. Brushing the coat every other day will do. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Larger Munsterlander has a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years. It is usually very healthy although some are still prone to hip dysplasia. This breed is also not compatible with living in an apartment as it does best outdoors and needs at least a large yard.

Photo: Pia C. Groening

AKA: Wirehaired Vizsla, Vizsla, Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla, Drotzoru Magyar Vizsla

Description: The Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog is a medium-sized dog with a sturdy and muscular body. The head is made up of a moderately wide skull and a moderate stop. The muzzle is squared at the end. The jaws are powerful, forming a scissors bite. The nose is brown, and the eyes are just a shade darker than its coat (yellow or black eye are not preferred). The ears are proportionately long and hanging.

The neck is muscular and arched, without a dewlap. The chest is broad and deep. The front legs are straight, while the hind legs are moderately angled by the thighs. The feet are catlike. The tail is thick, carried horizontally when moving.

The Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog’s hair varies in length. On the head, the hair is short and rough. There is longer hair on the muzzle, forming a beard. The eyebrows are pronounced by slightly long hair. Longer and finer hair is also present on the ears. Hair is also longer on the body. Hair on the forelimbs are short and rough.

Dynamics: The Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog is lively, affectionate, and has a gentle temperament. It is also intelligent, sensitive, and obedient. Training is easy but it has to be consistent and firm. The Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog may also be willful, but it is loyal and protective of its owner and family. This breed can get along well with children, and can generally get along with other breeds. Socialization is needed for the Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog to adapt to any situation and environment. This breed is known as chewers.

Breed Group: Gun Dog

Weight: males 45-60 pounds (20-27kg), females 40-55 pounds (18-25kg)

Height: males 22.5-25 (57-64cm), females 21-23.5 inches (53-60cm)

Color: The coat of the Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog comes in russet gold. Sometimes there are white marks on the chest and feet.

Country of Origin: The Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog was created in the 1930s. A thick-coated Vizsla was crossed with a German Wire-haired Pointer, and the result was the Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog. The breed was developed by mr. Vasas Jozsef.

Activities: The Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog has a huge amount of stamina. It requires long walks and exercises. Its talents include tracking, retrieving, pointing, watchdogging, and competitive obedience.

Grooming: The wire-haired coat of the Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog is rough and hard. It needs to be brushed with a bristle brush. Dry shampoo occasionally. Keep the nails clipped.

Other Info: The Hungarian Wire-haired Pointing Dog has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. It is not recommended to live in an apartment.

Photo by Georg Ruecker

AKA: King Charles Spaniel
Description: The English Toy Spaniel is a perfect toy dog, small with regular length hair, and has firm built. They have short, black nose like that of a pug. Their head is shaped like a dome . Its head is well rounded in shape, as well as their dark eyes expressing their affection to their owner. They have rounded long hairy ears set low near their head. Their muzzle is short, have square and wide jaw, bite is moderately undershot not showing its teeth. Tail is docked and carried just level on its back. Coat is soft, shiny and plumy all over their body, that come in various colors.

Temperament: This breed has a very sweet temperament. They are a loving pet dog, intelligent and very sweet. They are a very quite companion kind of dog and a medium barker therefore not suitable to be a guard or watch dog since they are very friendly and polite towards strangers. They don’t need much socialization training since they are considered everybody’s pet dog. Playful, affectionate and loves to be with everybody but sometimes has bad attitudes too. They are loyal to their owner too. And would choose to be with them always. They love children and other dogs as well. In some unforeseen ways, you’d just be surprise that they could show off and entertain people.

Activity: They are required to have daily walk to lead them away to behavioral problems and increase their energy and be healthy. Also, they would enjoy playing and frolic around in a wide but safe area.

Health: They are prone to respiratory ailments, heart disease , slipped stifle, eye problems and ear infections. Ears and eyes should be kept clean always to avoid infection. Their life span is about 10-12 years.

Grooming: They only require less grooming as long as they should be brushed well to prevent mats and tangles especially on their ears,eyes and feet. This breed is not a heavy shedder.

Breed Group: Gun Dog
Color: Blenheim are red and white, The Prince Charles are tricolor, The King Charles is black and tan.
Height: About 10 inches (25cm.)
Weight: 9-12 pounds (4.1-5.4kg.)
Country Of Origin: England

Dynamics: This breed has sweet temperament although they could also be stubborn at times. They are a pet dog that children would love to play. They are named after King Charles the II in England who also has little sweet dogs.

AKA: Drentsche Patrijshond, Dutch Partridge Dog, Drentse Partridge Dog

Description: The Drentse Patrijshond is a well-balanced hunting dog, bred with a hunting insitinct. It has short to medium length hair, with the body, ears, tail, and the back of the legs possessing longer hair. The nose is black, and the eyes are a dark hazel or brown. The ears hang down, and the tail is carried high or curved when the dog is alert or excited.

Dynamics: The Drentse Patrijshond is agile and fast on the hunting field. Despite that it is a calm and sweet tempered dog. It tends to be more relaxed at home, but it is also a work-driven breed. It is loyal, protective, and devoted to its family. It becomes very attached to its family, and is sweet and excellent with children.

Breed Group: Gun Dog

Weight: varies accordingly to the height

Height: 22 to 25 inches (55 to 63 cm)

Color: The Drentsche Patrijshond usually comes in white with brown or orange markings. A large brown or orange mark is usually present on the backside above the tail. The coat of this breed is tricolor, sometimes with tan markings.

Country of Origin: The Drentsche Patrijshond originated in the Netherlands, tracing back to the 16th century.

Activities: The Drentsche Patrijshond excels in hunting all kinds of game, hunting with good speed. It also serves as a pointer and retriever. It also works as a watch dog, child playmate, and even pull carts.